The MacDonald Brothers at the Aberdeen Arts Centre


A review from 5D Music & Theatre writer Maria Robertson


Craig and Brian MacDonald from Ayr had their “moment of fame” on the X Factor television show.  They have released a couple of albums, supported Westlife, and are now touring with this Pride of Scotland show.

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Multi talented chaps, Craig plays fiddle and guitar whilst doing lead vocals; meanwhile Brian plays various guitars, accordion, tin and penny whistles, keyboard as well as singing.  They were also accompanied by a female vocalist Christy Mac, her performance of Amy MacDonald’s This is The Life was excellent.  To top off the show are some fabulous dancers who have some amazing outfits, I especially liked the huge luminescent wings for the Skye Boat Song.

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Far from being another tribute act the McDonald Brothers’ Pride of Scotland show is what you should expect from the name.  These talented musicians proudly present many well-known songs, that we all know the lyrics to and are encouraged to join in with.  These range from the golden oldies such as the Bay City Rollers, The Bluebells, The Proclaimers to the much more modern Paolo Nutini, Lewis Capaldi and Nathan Evans with his internet sensation sea shanty!  Some more unexpected songs were Thunder by AD/DC and some Dire Straits – educational moment of the evening, both bands were founded by brothers from Glasgow!  I was also thrilled to hear one of my favourite Troggs songs, Love Is All Around, which featured in the set list as the Wet Wet Wet hit from the movie Four Weddings and A Funeral.  Another English although known in Scotland was Sir Rod Stewart.  Out came the tartan scarfs again for Sailing and Maggie May.

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The set itself is quite simple, the instruments taking pride place on the stage.  At the back are two big Pride of Scotland banners with a huge screen in the middle which is used to show the musicians being replicating, the TV shows that songs are from such as Outlander, and from movies such as when Christy sings Lulu’s Man with the Golden Gun.

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There is a video of the boys being interviewed by their producer and discussing what their musical influences are, the high points of their career and some of their ideas for the show – all in front of an impressive collection of whiskies and their trophy for getting a number one album in Scotland.  Other highlights they mention are: appearing on X Factor, performing on cruise ships, and having the honour of Elton John writing them a song, which of course is included in the show.  The also had a recording trip to Nashville – and we were treated to Devil Went to Georgia, with the amazing fiddle work from that.

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At many points over the evening some audience members tried to get to their feet for a jig but were encouraged to sit down; after all much of the audience was of the older generation and were appreciating the seats!  It would have been a shame for them not to have been able to see past them.  For the last three songs – when we had Caledonia, Banks of Loch Lomond and then the encore of The Proclaimers 500 Miles – we were all on our feet singing and dancing away merrily.

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The evening had the feeling of a traditional Scottish Ceilidh when everyone is welcome to get involved and sing along, although none of us deserve to be on the stage as much as the very talented McDonald Brothers.  I could not resist a cheeky wee Irn Brew in the interval just to cap off the absolute Scottishness of the evening, and I know I am not the only one that’s proud of our glorious country and all the amazing music that it has produced through the years.

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Further information: https://www.themacdonaldbros.co.uk/home

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Maria Robertson is the Chief Music & Theatre Writer for the 5D Pop Culture Website and provides reviews & coverage of local Aberdeen music & theatre gigs. She’s an experienced writer for numerous sources and is a self-confessed live gig addict ever since seeing The Counting Crows at the Barrowlands in 1994.


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